Another day, another chapter.

- review section removed after story ended for a better view -

This chapter has become long, I think. At least compared to the previous ones but I'm a bit uncertain about the pace and what you do on a festival, haha. I hope I could get the atmosphere right and the amount of fluff as well.

A very small cameo of a Miracle! More will soon follow! Thanks for all the follows, favorites and reviews! I'm really happy that you enjoy the story!

DAY FOURTY TWO

Mia found herself glaring at her reflection in the mirror as she tried to put on the wooden hairclip which was decorated with red and yellow flowers. It just wouldn't stay where she wanted to put it, the gleaming pearls falling at an awkward angle. It felt like she was a clumsy monkey who tried to pick up a little coin.

"Let me do that, sweetie." Her mother chuckled, appearing behind her.

With skilled hands she quickly brushed through the hair of her daughter, tying them up on the back of her head. Mia smiled at the older woman through the reflection, her gaze flickering to the clothes she had brought into her room. "Mum, I don't want to wear a yukata..."

"Oh, hush - you want to."

"Dad never had to wear something like that."

Her mother actually pouted at that, securing the hair clip with a few soft movements. "Your father is a stubborn man. Calling it a man dress...seriously."

It only took the woman a few more coaxing words before the girl had no other choice but to give in. It always took so much time to put on a yukata, the fabric was heavy and tight in her opinion, clinging to her form like a second skin. It wasn't like she hated it, the bright color of white which was overrun by a colorful pattern of flowers was beautiful - but it always felt like as if she was suffocating in it after some time.

She sure as hell wasn't going to wear those damn old-fashioned sandals though...

Mia sighed as she remembered Satsuki calling her yesterday, excited to announce that the yearly summer festival was taking place tonight. The pink haired girl hadn't been able to pursue the basketball club to come as well, that's why she was hoping the orange-head wouldn't leave her hanging. Two other friends she had asked were going on dates with their boyfriends anyway. And there was no way someone would be able to say 'no' to Satsuki after she pestered you with a handful of 'please' and 'it'll be fun's.

That even Aomine texted her about it was the last push she needed to give in.

"Like this." Her mother mumbled, patting her shoulders as both of them stared at her in the mirror. "Go and enjoy the festival with your friends."

"Thanks, mum."

"Mia-chan!"

It wasn't difficult to find the bubbly pink haired student in between the many people who came to visit the festival. She started to wave, nearly jumping up and down as she tried to do anything which was possible to catch Mia's attention, earning a glance here and there by strangers, although that didn't bother her in the slightest.

Her sidekick was no one else but the tall basketball player, of course. Aomine leaned onto his left feet, his arms crossed in front of his chest as he frowned at nothing in particular. It wasn't a surprise that Satsuki wore a wonderful peachy pink robe herself, Mia thought. But to have her classmate here in a yukata himself was unexpected. The dark navy blue of the fabric fitted his tanned skin and hair and unlike her - who chose to wear a pair of simple sandals - the two of them had taken the traditional kind. Mia could easily see that it probably hadn't been Aomine's choice to wear that himself.

"Satsuki-san, Aomine."

The girl in front of her squealed in delight, hugging the orange-head tightly.

"You look great! I really thought I'd have to visit the festival all alone with Aomine-kun this year again! I really don't understand how the others could say no..." Pouting she held onto Mia's hands, squeezing them as she turned to the teenager behind her. "It's weird to always go with my childhood friend."

"You force me every year to go with you." Aomine snorted.

"That's not true!" Satsuki argued weakly. But it became obvious that what he was saying was probably true. "I just really like the firework..."

The orange haired girl couldn't help but relax next to the energetic student who nearly shielded her with her own body from any invisible attack. Her gaze wandered towards the colorful bunch of people around them, the main event was just around the corner. It waited patiently for the visitors who came from many different corners of their district.

"Let's go then."

Taking the lead, Satsuki walked off towards the entrance of the festival. The sunset was already behind their backs. Engulfing the scenery in a deep warm purple. The starry night sky wasn't far anymore. And the masses of people were amazing, different voices and scents clashed against another everywhere.

Mia couldn't help but smile to herself, enjoying the lively atmosphere which was a nice change. The three of them stayed close to another as they fell in step with the strangers around them. Her dark eyes wandered from one stall to another, many different kinds of candy and warm meals were offered and it surely was way too much - but the girl wanted to try them all anyway.

Excited Satsuki pointed at a small place who sold cotton candy. The color just as soft and warm as her hair. "I'm going to buy some, wait a second!"

Mia nodded, smiling at the female student who rushed off like a child. She surely wouldn't regret coming here, even if Nanami wasn't able to accompany her. But to see the girl, she recently was able to call her friend as well this happy, slowly but surely let her heart warm up. Swelling with the typical festival spirit.

"Wanna buy something, too?" Aomine asked.

Carefully she looked up at him. For the tall guy it was easy to see the different snacks you were able to buy. His height towering over so many others, girls and boys...it must be hard sometimes. However, in times like these, it must be useful, too.

"Yeah." The orange-head finally said. "How about shaved ice?"

The blue haired teen pulled his lips into a lopsided grin. He had expected her to mention the payback for the popsicle, that's why his eyes already searched for a stall which sold the popular treat. Even the tall teen had to push his height to the fullest in order to get a clear sight over the many stalls. And as his blue eyes finally caught what he was looking for, he started to push her into a certain direction.

"Let's get it while Satsuki is fightin' with the kids over the cotton candy."

Mia laughed, trying to twist her head in a certain angle in hope she could see the very person he spoke of. But even though she caught a glimpse of her bright long hair behind a few strangers, she could barely see her fully. Just like he said, there were many children gathering around the person who sold the sugary treat. Satsuki was somehow getting lost in the little sea of colors and voices.

"I didn't think you'd wear a yukata as well." She said as they made their way towards the stall he had seen. A slightly difficult task with all those people around them.

"What?" The blue haired teen leaned forward, their height difference too big with all the noise around them.

"The yukata." Mia repeated, raising her voice. "Didn't think you'd wear one."

"Ah." Aomine's eyes narrowed. "Satsuki can be a pain when she can't have her way."

His expression told of experience. The wrinkles on his forehead increasing as he seemed to recall a handful of times - the girl could only wonder what they had already gone through together up until now. The moment where he had mentioned his middle school's name, his mood had become sour the other day...so there must have been rather hideous moments as well.

After a felt-like eternity, they reached the colorful stall with a friendly looking man. The line was slowly disappearing; their turn was soon the next to choose which syrup they wanted. Naturally the orange-head went with the sweet and sour green apple, a decision which the basketball player at her side criticized nearly immediately after she had the small plastic bowl in her hands.

"It's good." She quickly defended. "It really is."

As if she had confessed that the world was coming to an end, he furrowed his brow, going with a similar flavor she'd come to known thanks to the popsicle. The icy-blue color drenched the shaved iced rasps of his portion while hers glowed in a fresh green. She loved the taste of sour apples; the green ones had always been her favorite. A crime in the eyes of her classmate apparently.

Finally she was able to pay him back though, handing out the money to the friendly salesman as they tried to turn away from the stall. But the front of the cotton candy shop was suddenly overrun by even more children, the pink hair nowhere to be seen.

Mia started frowning. "Where's Satsuki-san?"

The blue haired teen next to her craned his neck, searching for his childhood friend in the masses of the strangers. But even he, with his advantage, didn't find the bubbly girl anywhere. She couldn't have gone missing just like that, now could she? The festival was very lively, yes, but the basketball club manager always looked so responsible. At least in Mia's eyes.

Sighing deeply Aomine shoved a bigger portion of his ice inside of his mouth, biting onto the small plastic spoon. "Wait here. Just gonna check."

"Okay."

With swift steps he left her side, his lean figure disappearing in the sea of colors and strangers. It was hard to believe that the female student had found a way to get lost even though they were hardly separated by a handful of meters. Of course, it was always possible with so many strangers around but Aomine was always easy to make out in a crowd. He wasn't really a guy you'd search for too long.

Patiently she scooped up a portion of her shaved ice, cherishing the sour and sweet taste in her mouth. The other visitors, families, friends and couples walked past her. Talking and laughing about different things, she couldn't hear. Maybe she should try calling the other girl? She probably had her mobile phone on her.

"Ah."

Mia blinked surprised at the short glimpse she had of a certain pink haired head in the distance. Without thinking she stepped forward, determined to catch Satsuki before the poor girl would get entirely lost - but of course, she collided with someone else in the filled path.

Her delicious treat fell out of her grasp, colliding with the hard ground at her feet. But her mind rolled towards the stranger, forgetting the food as she grimaced at her own stupidity.

"Jeez, I'm sorry."

She apologized, bending down to pick up whatever had fallen out of the hand of the other person. In this case it was a blue dotted flag - at least it wasn't dirtied by her melting ice. "I saw a friend of mine and didn't look."

Her gaze rose to meet the deep green colored orbs of the stranger. A guy who must have been around her age, reaching a size which was challenging Aomine's for sure. And the frown on his face could have been ripped off of her classmate as well. He quietly took the blue flag back, his free hand pressing his glasses against his face as if it would help his eyes to glare at her better.

She couldn't do much more than apologize though...

"Shin-chan stop glaring, you're scaring the poor thing!" Another person appeared at the side of the guy, hitting him harshly on his back.

"I'm not glaring." He grumbled back. "I knew today wasn't going to be a good day, that's all I thought."

"Uh, sorry." Mia repeated helplessly, taking a step back. She still had to find Satsuki.

The strangers looked at her before both of them found something else which must have been a lot more interesting to stare at. The orange-head was certain that they had forgotten her and saw a friend of theirs behind her somewhere, until a heavy arm was suddenly slung over her shoulder. Mia gasped out of surprise as she was pulled back against a hard chest, her dark eyes flying towards the unknown limb.

But as she saw the bronzed skin she started to relax to some degree.

"Aomine?"

It wasn't her voice. No, it was deep and calm. Maybe even monotone if you wanted to describe it roughly. Speechless she looked back towards the strangers in front of her; the guy she had stumbled into was staring at her classmate with a hard look on his face. They surely couldn't know each other, right? But how else would the teenager know the name of Aomine...?

"Long time no see, four-eyes."

The stranger closed his eyes, the annoyance easily seen on his face as he sighed. The dark haired teen next to the tall stranger blinked owlishly at them, his sharp eyes wandering in between the giants a few times before a sly smile found a way onto his lips.

"Shin-chan, you didn't tell me that one of your old teammates would be here as well!"

"Because I didn't know, obviously."

"Heh~?"

It was hard to follow the quiet stares of the boys, she hadn't seen them ever before, but from what she understood the guy with the glasses had been in Aomine's former basketball team...that would mean middle school, right? Slightly uncomfortable to stand in between two walls, one spreading more strength than the other, she started to fidget on her spot. How did she even got into these situations?

Mia could feel the weight of the arm on her shoulder slip away as the basketball player tugged her further behind him. Whether he realized her uneasiness or not was unclear. But the orange-head didn't mind it as she let him pull her back, the sight of his broad shoulders a familiar view. Curiously she looked around, hoping that he had brought Satsuki along as well...but it seemed that the girl still wasn't here.

The green haired teen watched the flawless movement in between them quietly, his hand still clinging to the blue dotted flag while his orbs flickered towards the navy ones of his former teammate. It was for him a sight which was hard to believe - that girl hadn't been Satsuki after all- but instead of pointing that out he chose to say something else.

"I saw you won against Seirin."

"Yeah."

Carefully Mia peeked past her tall classmate, watching the guys stare at another with such an intense feeling, it was hard to believe that they had known each other in the past. Or at least if they had been friends...it had something of an old western movie. A show down.

"Do you really have to talk about that now, Shin-chan? He's obviously on a date, right now."

It was once more the smaller teen who started to speak. His demeanor a lot brighter and easier than the ones of the other two - that was something Mia was thankful for. Even though she certainly couldn't agree with what he said. They had merely lost Satsuki somewhere, that was all.

"Date?" The green haired guy stared her down, quirking an eyebrow.

God, if only she had watched her step...

Mia found herself seeking protection behind Aomine's broad back once more. That was too much attention in such a short amount of time. It was an action which didn't go unnoticed by Aomine who threw a side glance over his shoulder. His face was as expressionless as ever, just glancing at her for a second. But then he swiftly turned back around to the other two, challenging them to say something else.

"Yeah, so we gotta leave now."

This sentence actually tickled a slightly startled look out of the glasses wearing guy. His eyes quickly landing on her once more, although the contact was kept short as Aomine turned away from them. One hand pressing against her back to force her to move, she felt lucky that she was wearing her normal sandals and not those traditional shoes which made it hard to walk.

"See ya, four-eyes."

Mia couldn't see the expression of the stranger because the blue haired basketball player blocked her view completely while still forcing her to walk. They pushed their way through the crowd. Moving with the wave of people until they had created a distance, Aomine deemed good enough.

"Who was that?" The girl asked, trying to look at him.

"We went to the same middle school." He deadpanned. "Satsuki found an old friend; she said she'll catch up later."

That sounded a lot like an attempt to change the topic, she mused. But as his voice fell, she feared his mood would get bad. And that was something none of them needed. The whole world didn't need that. Mia bit her lip, looking away as she tried to find a good distraction. Her ice had fallen to a horrible death anyway. May it rest in peace.

"Oh." She breathed, tugging at the sleeve of his yukata. "Ever tried to scoop a goldfish?"

"Years ago." He scoffed. "That's kids stuff."

"I bet, I can catch one before you can."

His frown finally eased away as he let the arrogant grin grow on his lips, she knew so well. A challenge was always something he seemed to like. His confidence was too big for his own head, in her opinion, but he willingly led them towards the stall. For her, it was the first time since quite some time as well. The same excitement, however, filled her veins as they crouched down at the enclosed basin.

With bowl and tiny scoop in hand, they stared at the goldfishes. The owner of the stand grinned at the teenagers whose faces were scrunched up in concentration. It looked like, they were off to a good start.

After some time, their expression had changed completely though.

Aomine had started glaring at the poor little fishes, curses were tumbling out of his mouth with nearly every breath he took. And it was only getting worse. While she was still struggling with her third try, her classmate had already paid for his seventh one. And still no small goldfish was foolish enough to fall for his tearable trap.

"Those shitty little..." The basketball player was gritting his teeth, turning to face the shop owner once more. "Another try."

"Aomine, how about we try something else?" Mia asked smiling.

But the tall teen would have none of it.

"No way, I'll catch one damn fish. Whether I'm gonna die tryin' or not." Determined, he pushed the sleeves of his yukata up to his elbows, his glare narrowing at the tiny animals that swam from right to left. It was so childish of him, something she didn't expect. But it made the whole situation all the funnier. He acted like an idiot, insulting goldfishes as if they had planned to drive him insane from the very beginning.

"Ahomine."

He finally looked up, his face twisting towards her as he frowned. "Don't call me that."

"Then give it up."

Aomine hesitated. His hateful glare aimed at the swimming little creatures. His pride stood in his way but slowly and surely it was getting silly how much the two of them failed at this game. She had tried to distract him and she had succeeded at that. But now it was getting ridiculous how much they invested in trying to catch a fish, they'd probably let out at a river later on anyway.

"...I could catch one."

Mia put the bowl and scoop aside, her smile widening as she tried not to giggle.

"Sure."

"It's just the fault of this stupid, crappy scoop."

"Yeah."

"If I had a good one, I'd catch like, ten."

"Uh-huh."

"I'm serious."

"Come on." Mia laughed while she stood up, her legs felt sore for a moment after she had stayed for so long in a single position. Carefully, she brushed over the white fabric, trying to improve the blood flow in her legs a bit until the uncomfortable feeling left her bones. The tall teenager still hesitated, his ego which was too big for his own good, stopping him from giving up.

The orange-head had to tug at his arm to finally make him stand up. Willingly, he finally let go of the small plastic bowl and the scoop, giving the fishes a last despising glare before they were able to leave the stall. The smile still didn't leave her; too much did she enjoy seeing him suck at something. He was lazy at school, yes, but he was able to pass his exams. So to find something else, as innocent as scooping goldfish, was enough to make her feel better.

"Who needs goldfish anyway."

Mia laughed out loud right then, he sounded pretty angry, but to her, it sounded like he was sulking in his very own way.

"Stop laughing, Nidori."

He shoved her lightly aside with his shoulder and even though she tried to calm down, she couldn't. The grin was plastered across her face, her cheeks warm thanks to the summer heat and warmth which had spread in her guts. It was fun. She had fun.

"Sorry. Sorry."

Aomine scowled at her a while longer, the corners of his lips trying to fight off a small grin.

"Should we get something to eat?" Her question caused his eyes to look around, checking the stalls around them.

But before either of them could come up with an idea what they could get to eat, their attention was caught by a loud explosion. Just like the two of them, many other visitors came to a sudden halt. The sky above them which had turned nearly black some time ago was lightened up by a bunch of colorful sparks.

Shortly after the first one, two others followed. Red and yellow, were followed by green and purple. Mia blinked at the show in surprise; so much time had already passed, it seemed. The firework had started while they were still in the middle of the festival instead of the meadow, where the visitors could find a good spot to watch the blooming fire flowers.

The view they had was narrow thanks to the colorful roofs of the stalls and lanterns which hang in the trees. But it was pretty nonetheless. Mia stared at the flying sparkles mesmerized; more and more appeared in the sky. One constellation differed from the other. And finally a handful of strangers started to move again, some eager to quickly hurry and reach the meadow to get a better view.

The orange-head stumbled slightly as someone bumped into her; but her hands found hold on Aomine as the basketball player lifted his arm slightly to keep her from falling. His reflexes were obviously a lot better than her own ones, even when he wasn't looking.

Mia's gaze was still glued to the sky above them though; she didn't want to miss any part of the firework. It was the highlight after all. Just like her classmate it seemed, he looked less thrilled than she did, but his eyes were watching the colors explode nonetheless. His arm was still slightly lifted for her hands to hold on - which the girl still did to be exact. She didn't really notice it herself; she was too busy watching the spectacle in the night sky.

But Aomine did.